BUSINESS 121 FUNCTIONAL AREAS OF THE ORGANIZATION

COURSE OUTLINE Winter 2014

Professor:

Laura Allan Sections: A, B, D, E Room P3072 Phone 884-0710, Ext. 2373 lallan@wlu.ca Course Website: Office hours: https://www.wlu.ca/sbe/bu121 Wednesday and Thursday 1-2:30 OR by appointment

Teaching Assistants: Room P1002 Phone 884-0710, Ext. 2190 Faculty Assistant: Margaret Dilworth Room SBE2201, Phone 884-0710, Ext. 2041

Course Objectives:
Business 121 is designed to provide you with the following: 1. An integrative framework/model whereby you can see how all the pieces of the business puzzle fit together in todays fast paced and ever-changing business environment. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Application of this understanding to the development of a business plan for your new business ideas from BU111

An overview to the different functional areas of a business, and how decisions in those areas are both interrelated and lead to achieving the critical success factors in the model. Development of the soft skills necessary for success in business and in life. A basic business vocabulary. A clear understanding of the level of professional conduct expected in the business world; which will also be expected of you in both the course and the program. The opportunity to apply the above knowledge and skills to two competitive situations: The PepsiCo Pitch Competition The BDO New Venture Competition

Course Materials:

Functional Areas of the Organization, BU121 Winter 2014, 3rd Custom Edition. Toronto: Nelson Education, 2014. NOTE: The text comes with both online chapter quizzes for the functional area chapters, and a supplemental book on critical thinking. This book can be used to help you apply critical thinking concepts at work, but is not required for the course. Business 121 Lab Manual, Twenty-Ninth Edition. Toronto: Captus Press, 2014. NOTE: Access to 2 assessments that you require for the course is included with the lab manual EQi and DISC. The coupon that is shrink-wrapped with the lab manual must be brought to your first lab to obtain your access codes to do the assessments! A student response and engagement system called Top Hat will be used in the course for class and lab participation.

Methodology:
In Business 121 we will be using 3 approaches to learning: 1. Readings The custom text and lab manual readings are designed to provide you with the base knowledge needed to understand the threshold concepts and terminology required for the course. These threshold concepts are needed to understand the richer classroom material. It will be expected that you have done the readings prior to class and labs, and that you will have done the supplementary on-line chapter quizzes to assist you with the text material. Lectures Power Point slides will be available ahead of time on the course website. Do not assume that these slides are a substitute for coming to class as they do not completely cover the material, but simply provide you both with a base to organize your notes and some breathing room to reflect on the material as it is being discussed. As well, the slides provided on the website are not always identical to the slides shown in class. Therefore, failure to attend lectures and take detailed notes will invariably result in reduced performance on examinations. Weekly Labs* You are required to continue in the same lab you were registered in for BU111 in order to complete the requirements for the New Venture project that you started in BU111. Labs start the second week of class. Normal lab registration will not be necessary this term because you are remaining in the same labs, however you will need to re-register on the course website so that your registration information is transferred from 111 to 121 and you are formally included on the lab list. You also need to check the room location for your lab as some may have changed. * NOTE: Because large lectures do not allow for either the application of theory so important to your learning, or the ability to practice and develop soft skills, attendance at labs is COMPULSORY! Although we strongly recommend that you do not miss labs for any reason - the following rules apply to lab attendance and participation grades. Read carefully: ! You are allowed only one (1) un-validated absence from labs. An un-validated absence means you did NOT attend a "make-up lab" during the same week. You will receive a mark of zero (0) on all lab assignments (50% of your grade) if you have more than 1 un-validated absence. ! You may make-up a maximum of two (2) labs per term. This means that you can attend a different lab (see the course website for a list of labs) but you must take a Lab Make-up Form (also posted on the course website) to the lab and have the TA of that lab sign the form and return to your TA for validation. This form will only be signed at the end of the make-up lab. This will provide proof that you have attended a make-up lab and thus validate your absence; failing which you will be marked as absent. If you miss a lab due to illness or extenuating

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circumstances we strongly recommend that you still attend a make-up lab during the same week unless your circumstances extend for the entire week. NOTE: These make-up labs are meant to give you some flexibility in unavoidable circumstances, but should not be used unless absolutely necessary. ! You will be assigned a participation mark for your level of preparation and the quality and consistency of your participation in each lab, as explained below, and this mark will be averaged out over the 11 labs. It is important to note that 1 full participation mark will be lost for each lab that is missed, regardless of whether your absence is validated or not. Therefore, if you miss your one (allowed) un-validated lab, and attend two make-up labs that are validated by the process outline above, you will not be able to attain a participation grade above 7/10. The only way to have an absence excused and not subject to this rule, is to submit your case to your Professor (not your TA) for consideration. Be advised that given that grade points are a minimum 3 percentage points apart, that could mean that you will lose an entire grade point. Participation Grade / 10 7 marks Assessed through hand in of lab preparation or in-lab exercises. The hand-ins will be graded as indicated below, and the best 7 will be counted. Excellent = 1 mark Acceptable = .5 marks Poor/Incomplete = 0 marks 3 marks for quality and consistency of participation WOW = 3 marks participating consistently, respectfully and with high quality adding value to the lab discussion GREAT = 2.5 marks participating consistently, usually high quality GOOD = 2 marks reasonably consistent, decent quality AVERAGE = 1.5 marks reasonably consistent, average quality WEAK = 1 mark inconsistent, lower quality POOR = .5 marks rarely participated, poor quality OR sometimes disengaged, on electronics, or talking while others are talking UNACCEPTABLE = 0 marks did not participate OR disruptive and disrespectful, called out for behaviour OR absent for the lab The expectations for participation will be much higher this semester than for BU111. As indicated above, students who do not prepare for labs and participate in a quality manner on a consistent basis will get a failing grade for participation.

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Extra Resources As much as setting high expectations for participation is necessary to prepare you for upper year business courses and the corporate world, we also want to make it clear how important it is for you to take responsibility for your own learning and engage in learning appropriate university level strategies to ensure your success. There are many resources available to you at the university to succeed and we want you to use them. As such, you can earn up to 2 extra participation marks to a maximum of 10 total marks for participation, if you take responsibility for your own learning and engage with the resources that are available to help you succeed. These resources include:

! Supplemental Instruction (SI): Each week the SI Learning Assistants will

facilitate learning groups where you and your peers will work together to develop ways to learn the material presented in lectures and prepare for exams. SI does not replace lectures or labs, however it can significantly enhance your ability to engage, learn and prepare in this course. For more information visit the website at www.wlu.ca/study Participation in SI sessions will count for .25 marks each to a maximum of 1 mark total. We encourage you to participate in as many sessions as possible, but only four (4) non-review sessions over 4 different weeks (attending 2 sessions in one week does not qualify) will count toward the extra participation marks. There will be five SI assistants facilitating two sessions each for a total of ten BU121 SI sessions per week. To qualify for the extra participation marks students must participate in the sessions and complete the exercises simple attendance at the sessions is not sufficient.

! Success Workshops: Three workshops have been organized to help you

improve your success both in the course and overall in the program. The workshops will take place on select Sunday evenings throughout the term at 5pm and 7pm locations to be announced in lectures. The dates and topics are:

o January 19th Strategies for Success to reflect on your success so o February 23rd Midterm Success to work on strategies for success o March 16th Finishing Strong to work on strategies for finishing
the semester on a high note. Participation in these workshops will count for .5 marks each to a maximum of 1 mark total. We encourage you to attend all 3 workshops, but only two of the sessions will count toward the extra participation marks. *NOTE: All students who received a C+ or lower in BU111 must attend a mandatory BBA Success session on Sunday January 12th in order to qualify for these extra participation marks for the success workshops and SI sessions. If you received a mark of C- or lower you on the midterm exam. far and work on strategies to improve your grades this semester.

will also have to make an appointment with one of the BBA academic advisors to qualify for the extra participation marks.

Marking Scheme:
Your mark will be calculated based on the different assessment tools outlined below. It is your responsibility to ensure that work is of good quality, appropriately referenced, and submitted on time. All work is due in hardcopy BEFORE 12 noon on the due date. Work submitted late will receive a grade of zero. In exceptional circumstances students may appeal to their professor to have their grade included with a late penalty. All assignments must also be submitted to turnitin BEFORE 12 noon on the due date. NOTE: This is a different time than it was in BU111! Work submitted late will receive a 10% penalty if submitted within the first 72 hours after the deadline, an additional 10% penalty if submitted within the next 24 hours, and a final 10% penalty if submitted within the following 24 hours. Work that is not submitted to turnitin will receive a grade of zero. The marks in the course will be divided as follows: 20 marks individual lab assignments/assessments 30 marks team-based lab assignments/assessments 25 marks midterm exam 25 marks final exam 100 marks total

20 marks Individual Lab Assignments/Assessments:

! 5 marks Pitch Delivered in Lab # 4 the week of February 3rd

Competition Friday February 7th**

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5 marks Critical Thinking/Writing Assignment Due Friday March 7th 10 marks Participation As outlined under Methodology Weekly Labs NOTE: Your Teaching Assistant will be providing you with feedback on your participation throughout the term, and in-term participation grades will be posted on the course website. However, students are also expected to take responsibility to check with their Teaching Assistant if they are concerned about their participation marks throughout the semester vs. at the end of the semester. If you did not receive the participation mark you were hoping for in BU111 NOW is the time to discuss expectations with your TA so that you can improve for BU12

30 marks Team-Based* Lab Assignments/Assessments:

! 30 marks total New Venture Business Plan: 5 marks GEL Analysis and Timeline Due Friday January 31st 7 marks Business Model Canvas and Team Plan Due Friday February 14th 10 marks Business Plan Report Due Friday March 21st 8 marks Business Plan Presentation Delivered in Labs #10 & #11 the weeks of March 24th and 31st

Semi-Final Round of Competition Friday April 4th** Final Round of Competition Saturday April 5th**
*NOTE: You will be required to submit individual peer evaluations with all group work. Peer evaluations be submitted to on the course website BEFORE 12 noon on the due date. (The only exception to this is peer evaluations for the business plan presentations, which is due before 12 noon on April 5th, as per the assignment instructions on the course website.) NOTE: This is a different time than it was in BU111! Peer evaluations submitted late will receive a 10% penalty if submitted within the first 72 hours after the deadline, an additional 10% penalty if submitted within the next 24 hours, and a final 10% penalty if submitted within the following 24 hours. Peer evaluations that are not submitted will cause the individual concerned (not the group) to receive a grade of zero. **NOTE: Mark the Pitch and New Venture competition dates on your calendar and do not make any plans there is no opt-out! If you (for the Pitch) or your group (for New Venture) are chosen to move forward into either competition, you must attend and participate. Penalties will apply for unavoidable absences that are not approved by your Professor ahead of time. Competition participants would also appreciate your support at the finals even if you did not make the competition yourself. Students who make it to the semi-final round of either/both competition(s) will receive one bonus mark each. Those who make it to the final round of either/both competition(s) will receive a second bonus mark each. No bonus marks will be given to students that do not complete all requirements of the competition. These requirements are outlined on the assignments posted on the course website and will be discussed in class.

50 marks Exams:
! ! 25 marks Midterm Exam Saturday March 1st 1:30-4:00pm! 25 marks Final Exam Date determined by the registrars office. NOTE: In order to achieve a passing grade in this course you must demonstrate that you understand and can apply concepts and theories without the assistance of your peers or instructors. To demonstrate this ability, you must pass either the midterm or the final exam. If you fail both the midterm and the final exam you will not receive a passing grade, regardless of your final mark. NOTE: BBAs require a B- average in BU111, BU121 and BU127. This means a total of 21 grade points between the three courses. Our goal is to help you meet this requirement. As such, students that did not meet the grade point requirement in BU111 are required to attend a mandatory Success Session (as indicated under Methodology Extra Resources). Students that attained a grade of C- or below are also required to attend a one-on-one session with one of the Academic Advisors in the BBA office or Laurier International (if applicable).

NOTE: Students with disabilities or special needs are advised to contact Lauriers Accessible Learning Centre for information regarding its services and resources. Students are encouraged to review the Calendar for information regarding all services available on campus. If you are unsure what resources are appropriate for you or require any assistance with any type of academic issues, contact the Central Academic Advising Office at www.wlu.ca/academicadvising.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING PROCEDURES AND EXPECTATIONS Academic Misconduct: The university and the instructors of this course have strict policies regarding academic misconduct. University expectations are outlined in the university calendar. The course Codes of Conduct are on the front pages of the Lab Manual. Pay particular attention to the discussion of plagiarism, and learn how to properly give credit to the work of others (see the Laurier Writing Centre for assistance if needed). It is your responsibility to become familiar with and adhere to university and course expectations regarding academic integrity, and you will be required to sign a Statement of Academic Integrity to that effect, which will be kept on file in the TA office. Lack of knowledge will not be accepted as an adequate defense for any violations committed. As indicated on the Marking Scheme, all work submitted for marking must be submitted both electronically to www.turnitin.com and in hard copy to the TA office, by the due date AND time. Any student who is determined to have engaged in academic misconduct will receive a mark of 0 on the relevant assignment, and potentially an F grade in the course, as well as having the incident noted on his/her permanent academic record at the University. You will be required to sign and attach a Personal Work Statement to all hand-in assignments declaring that the work is your own/that of your group. The form can be found on the course website. No marks will be allocated for assignments that do not have this form signed and attached. Both the midterm and the final exams are CONTROLLED ACCESS exams. Anyone who leaves the exam or lab room without handing back their exam, or who is found to be/have been in possession of a copy of the exam either before or after the exam, will receive a mark of 0 on the exam, and possibly an F grade in the course and/or suspension from the university, as well as having the incident noted on his/her permanent academic record.

Exams: There is NO deferred midterm for BU121. In the case of illness or unforeseeable and unavoidable conflicts, you must provide documentation to be approved by your Professor. Students should discuss midterm conflicts with their Professor as soon as they are aware of them. In the case of illness, this documentation must be on the Verification of Illness form supplied on the course website no other documentation will be accepted. This documentation must also be obtained on the day before or the day of the illness, and should indicate that the doctor confirms that you were too ill to write the exam. Those students not writing the regular midterm exam will be required to write a final exam worth 50 percent of their overall mark which will be cumulative in terms of course content. Final exam deferrals are arranged through the SBE petitions committee. This committee does not look favourably on petitions for final exam deferrals due to travel commitments do not book any travel plans until you see the final exam timetable!

Group Work: " Group work is an important component of your education at the School of Business and Economics, and is taken very seriously. Along with reinforcing your learning, group projects and activities develop skills in cooperation, collaboration, managing group processes and leadership - all essential skills for success in business today. It is therefore expected that all students will actively seek meaningful participation in group activities. Any student not demonstrating commitment to participate and contribute equally in a group exercise may be fired from his/her group by the other members, according to the disciplinary procedure posted on the course website. That student will then receive a 0 on the group exercise. You may also be given a 0 on the group exercise at the discretion of your Professor in consultation with your Teaching Assistant.

Student Privacy: One important goal of this course is to offer a positive educational experience for every student through lectures, in class discussion, group work, presentations and assignments. During the course, it may be necessary to divulge students names, ID numbers, marks or other personal information to other members of the class. Every reasonable effort will be made to keep the personal information of the student private and secure. The following measures have been put in place to balance the requirements of the course with the need to protect personal information: 1. 2. 3. Exams and assignments will only be released to the student who submitted them. If a student is uncomfortable with their name being called in class, he or she should contact the instructor and TA the day before the assignment is to be returned. Marks will only be released through our online marks website. They will only be discussed in person with the student, after valid identification has been provided. The individual circumstances or performance of a student will not be discussed before, during or after class. A student wishing to review their performance or discuss personal circumstances affecting their performance should make an appointment to speak to the instructor privately in her office. Because the TA office is a shared workspace, if the student wishes to have a private discussion with a TA, arrangements must be made with the TA in advance. Group work is a necessary component of this course. This will involve disclosure of some personal information to other class members in order to assign topics, arrange groups, submit, evaluate and return work. Enrolment in the course is deemed to be consent to such necessary disclosure. Class participation is a vital component of this course. This may involve the use of class lists, name tags, in class discussion etc. If a student is uncomfortable with his or her name being disclosed in these formats, he or she should bring this matter to the attention of the instructor during the first week of class so that alternate arrangements can be made. To ensure that e-mails are from the student identified, student email will only be responded to if it is from that students WLU or UW account. Students should not contact the instructor from any other email. Peer evaluations will be used in this course. These evaluations will be held in confidence and will only be disclosed to the student whose mark is affected. Such disclosure will be in

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an aggregate form. Individual peer evaluations will not be disclosed. If this is unacceptable to the student, prior alternate arrangements must be made with the instructor. The record of the students progress throughout the course will be maintained by the instructor for a period of one year after completion of the course. Sign in sheets will be used to record attendance at the midterm. If a student does not wish to sign the sheet, he or she should bring this fact to the attention of the proctor before the start of the exam.

If a student is concerned or needs to make special arrangements to accommodate specific privacy issues, he or she must bring these matters to the attention of the instructor within the first week of classes so that reasonable accommodations can be made or an alternate course can be selected by the student.

Weekly Schedule
The lecture topics, and related and expected readings and lab assignments for each week are listed below. You are expected to have the indicated readings and/or lab assignments prepared PRIOR to attending lectures and labs.

Week 1 January 6th 9th

Lecture Topics: Introduction to Course GEL Analysis and Business Model Generation Readings: It is strongly recommended that you use this relatively slower time at the start of the course to read ahead on the assigned chapters and lab manual readings. Text: Introduction Chapter 1 Establishing an Effective Management Team Lab Manual: Code of Conduct for Business Students Business Models Made Easy by Don Debelak Business Models A Definition The GEL Factors: Predicting Success Finding a Great Customer Group Making the Easy Sale Building a Long Future Evaluating Your Concept Business Model Generation by Alexander Osterwalder and Yves Pigneur The Business Model Canvas

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Labs: NO LABS this week; LABS START next week Go to http://www.wlu.ca/sbe/bu121 to confirm your registration and room location asap. Even though labs start next week, you should still be meeting with your group and discussing plans and schedules in preparation for completion of your new venture business plans. Chapter 1 is a good place to start to reflect on how your team worked together last semester.

Week 2 January 12th 17th

Mandatory Student Success Session for ALL students who did not attain the required B- in BU111 on Sunday January 12th at 7pm in 1E1. Complete the DISC and EQi Assessments online using the instructions provided both by your TA and on the course website BEFORE 12 noon on Friday January 17th! NOTE: Late marks will be applied if the DISC and EQi Assessments are not completed BEFORE 12 noon on Friday January 17th. A .5 mark penalty per assessment will be applied if the assessments are done within the first 72 hours after the deadline, an additional .5 mark penalty if submitted within the next 24 hours, and a final .5 mark penalty if submitted within the following 24 hours = maximum of 3 marks (.5 x 3 late deadlines x 2 assessments) deducted from your participation grade. Therefore, failure to do the assessments by the deadline could potentially cost a full grade point. Lecture Topics: Business Planning Art of the Pitch Readings: Text: Chapter 2 Writing an Effective Business Plan Lab Manual: Public Speaking: A Quick and Easy Way Individual Pitch Presentation Rubric What Is a Case? An Introduction to the Case Method Case Analysis & Write-up: Summary Checklist Case Analysis: Tools & Tips Lab #1: Bring your signed Statement of Academic Integrity and your Assessment Coupon to the lab! Case Analysis and Business Models Prepare Shad Whats Next for this Juno Award-Winning Artist? case for discussion according to the questions given in the lab manual. NOTE: Anything that is assigned to prepare for labs may be required for hand in to determine participation grades.

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Week 3 January 19th 23rd

Strategies for Success Workshop Sunday January 19th at 5pm in the Bricker Residence Main Lounge and 7pm in BA102. Lecture Topics: DISC and Emotional Intelligence Business Communication Readings: Text: Chapter 3 Effective Business Writing Lab Manual: The Business Case for Emotional Intelligence Leadership Development: The Four Corners of Empathetic Assertiveness Making the Connection: Leadership Skills and Emotional Intelligence The EQ Factor: Does Emotional Intelligence Make You a Better CEO? Lab #2: DISC/EQi Teamwork and Leadership Read and reflect on your DISC and EQi reports and prepare the exercises as outlined in the lab manual. Bring your assessment reports to the lab

Week 4 January 27th 31st

New Venture Team GEL Analysis and Timeline DUE Before 12 noon on Friday January 31st! Lecture Topics: Marketing Readings: Text: Chapter 4 Marketing: The Customer Focus Chapter 5 Creating Marketing Strategies Lab #3: Business Writing and Communication Complete the Business Writing Exercises Bring a representative sample of your writing approx 500 words to the lab, as per the lab manual instructions

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Week 5 February 3rd February 7th PEPSICO PITCH COMPETITION! Friday February 7th details will be announced
in lecture and posted on http://laurierentrepreneur.ca/academics/pepsico-pitch-competition/ Lecture Topics: Marketing Critical Thinking Readings: Lab Manual: Critical Thinking for Business Students by Linda Dyer What is Critical Thinking? Claims Evidence Underlying Assumptions Causal Claims Techniques of Persuasion Lab #4: Individual Pitches GOOD LUCK! Along with presenting your own pitch, you will also be required to assess your fellow students pitches, so be sure to review the pitch rubric in preparation for this lab.

Week 6 February 10th 14th

Business Model Canvas and Team Plan DUE Before 12 noon on Friday February 14th! Lecture Topics: New Venture Financing Cash Breakeven and Contribution Readings: Text: Chapter 6 Finance: Maximizing the Value Chapter 7 Financing New Ventures Lab Manual: Accounting for Non-Financial Managers by John Parkinson The Break-Even or Cost-Volume-Profit Model Lab #5: Critical Thinking and Target Markets Complete the Critical Thinking Exercises Prepare the Meal in a Jar case for discussion

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February 17th 21st READING WEEK No classes/labs Week 7 February 23rd March 1st
Midterm Success Workshop Sunday February 23rd at 5pm in the Bricker Residence Main Lounge and 7pm in BA102.

MIDTERM EXAM! Saturday March 1st 1:30-4:00pm

Lecture Topics: Cash Budgeting and Cash Burn Midterm Review Readings: Catch up on all text and lab manual readings to date. Lab #6: Cash Breakeven and Contribution Complete the Cash Breakeven and Contribution Analysis Exercises Prepare Petes Corner Grocery Inc. case for discussion Bring your new venture notes with you to class. Be prepared to think through your 10 base slides for your final presentation.

Week 8 March 3rd March 7th

Critical Thinking and Writing Assignment DUE Before 12 noon on Friday March 7th! Lecture Topics: Business Valuation Strategies for Growth/Exit Readings: Continue to catch up on all text and lab manual readings to date. Lab #7: Cash Budgeting and Cash Burn Complete the Cash Budgeting and Cash Burn Exercises Prepare Petes Corner Grocery Inc. case for discussion Bring your new venture numbers with you to class.

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Week 9 March 10th 13th

BDO New Venture Consulting Sessions Tuesday March 11th from 5pm in the Senate and Board Chamber teams must sign up for sessions on the course website. Lecture Topics: Negotiating Operations Readings: Text: Chapter 8 Achieving World-Class Operations Management Lab Manual: Improving Your Negotiating Skills: Tips Learned in the Trenches Focus on Why Rather than What for Successful Negotiations Lab #8: Valuation and Growth Prepare the Meal in a Jar case for discussion Take up Midterm

Week 10 March 16th 21st

Finish Strong Workshop Sunday March 16th 23rd at 5pm in the Bricker Residence Main Lounge and 7pm in BA102. New Venture Business Plan DUE Before noon on Friday March 21st! Lecture Topics: Sustainability Human Resources Readings: Text: Chapter 9 Managing Human Resources and Labour Relations Lab Manual: The Business Case for Sustainability Lab #9: Negotiations Exercise

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Week 11 March 24th 27th

Lecture Topics: Human Resources Labour Relations Lab #10: New Venture Presentations GOOD LUCK! Along with presenting your own business plans, you will also be required to assess your fellow students plans and presentations and ask insightful questions, so be sure to review the presentation rubric in preparation for this lab.

Week 12 March 31st April 5th NEW VENTURE COMPETITION SEMI-FINALS! Friday April 4th NEW VENTURE COMPETITION FINALS! Saturday April 5th
Details will be announced in lectures and posted on http://laurierentrepreneur.ca/academics/new-venture-competition/ Lecture Topics: Labour Relations Final Exam Review Lab #11: New Venture Presentations GOOD LUCK! Along with presenting your own business plans, you will also be required to assess your fellow students plans and presentations and ask insightful questions, so be sure to review the presentation rubric in preparation for this lab.

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